Complementary and alternative interventions for fatigue management after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review

Background: We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of complementary and alternative interventions for fatigue after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: We searched multiple online sources including ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Library database, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, the Web of Science, AMED, PsychINFO, Toxline, ProQuest Digital Dissertations, PEDro, PsycBite, and the World Health Organization (WHO) trial registry, in addition to hand searching of grey literature. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed using the Jadad scale, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. A descriptive review was performed. Results: Ten RCTs of interventions for post-TBI fatigue (PTBIF) that included 10 types of complementary and alternative interventions were assessed in our study. There were four types of physical interventions including aquatic physical activity, fitness-center-based exercise, Tai Chi, and aerobic training. The three types of cognitive and behavioral interventions (CBIs) were cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and computerized working-memory training. The Flexyx Neurotherapy System (FNS) and cranial electrotherapy were the two types of biofeedback therapy, and finally, one type of light therapy was included. Although the four types of intervention included aquatic physical activity, MBSR, computerized working-memory training and blue-light therapy showed unequivocally effective results, the quality of evidence was low/very low according to the GRADE system. Conclusions: The present systematic review of existing RCTs suggests that aquatic physical activity, MBSR, computerized working-memory training, and blue-light therapy may be beneficial treatments for PTBIF. Due to the many flaws and limitations in these studies, further controlled trials using these interventions for PTBIF are necessary.

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Feature coding dataset for trained and untrained working memory tasks in randomized controlled trials of working memory training

Data in Brief ◽

10.1016/j.dib.2018.11.040 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

pp. 2129-2133 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Susan E. Gathercole ◽

Darren L. Dunning ◽

Joni Holmes ◽

Dennis G. Norris

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Working Memory Training ◽

Memory Training ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Working Memory Training in Children: A Review of Basic Methodological Criteria

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/0033294119832978 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 123 (3) ◽

pp. 605-632

Author(s):

Santiago Vernucci ◽

Lorena Canet Juric ◽

Isabel Introzzi ◽

María M. Richard’s

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Internal Validity ◽

Working Memory Training ◽

Memory Training ◽

Control Group ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Complex Skills ◽

Great Relevance

Working memory is a process of great relevance during childhood due to its role in diverse complex skills. Like the rest of executive functions, it is highly sensitive to environmental influences, so it is assumed that it could be modified through targeted interventions. A large number of working memory training studies in children aim to achieve transfer effects both on this process and on those with which it is related. Although some promising results have been found, the efficacy of working memory training cannot be affirmed; methodological quality of studies is one of the main reasons for this. Compliance with basic methodological criteria (inclusion of a control group that must preferably be active, random assignment of participants to groups) has a great impact on the internal validity of the studies. Furthermore, the need to control for the effects of motivational factors associated with the intervention is added and emphasized. This study reviews the fulfillment of these criteria in process-based working memory training literature in children, analyzing its impact on internal validity. Limitations of the field in relation to the lack of compliance with the proposed criteria are discussed and alternatives are suggested in order to improve the quality of future studies.

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Does Far Transfer Exist? Negative Evidence From Chess, Music, and Working Memory Training

Current Directions in Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/0963721417712760 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 515-520 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Giovanni Sala ◽

Fernand Gobet

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Music Instruction ◽

Working Memory Training ◽

Memory Training ◽

Negative Evidence ◽

Far Transfer ◽

Meta Analyses

Chess masters and expert musicians appear to be, on average, more intelligent than the general population. Some researchers have thus claimed that playing chess or learning music enhances children’s cognitive abilities and academic attainment. We here present two meta-analyses assessing the effect of chess and music instruction on children’s cognitive and academic skills. A third meta-analysis evaluated the effects of working memory training—a cognitive skill correlated with music and chess expertise—on the same variables. The results show small to moderate effects. However, the effect sizes are inversely related to the quality of the experimental design (e.g., presence of active control groups). This pattern of results casts serious doubts on the effectiveness of chess, music, and working memory training. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings; extend the debate to other types of training such as spatial training, brain training, and video games; and conclude that far transfer of learning rarely occurs.

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Treatment of Pediatric Obesity: An Umbrella Systematic Review

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2016-2574 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 102 (3) ◽

pp. 763-775 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Tamim Rajjo ◽

Khaled Mohammed ◽

Mouaz Alsawas ◽

Ahmed T. Ahmed ◽

Wigdan Farah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽

Pediatric Obesity ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Quality Of Evidence ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Moderate Quality ◽

Obesity Interventions

Abstract Objective: Multiple interventions are available to reduce excess body weight in children. We appraised the quality of evidence supporting each intervention and assessed the effectiveness on different obesity-related outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials evaluating pediatric obesity interventions applied for ≥6 months. We assessed the quality of evidence for each intervention using GRADE (Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Results: From 16 systematic reviews, we identified 133 eligible randomized controlled trials. Physical activity interventions reduced systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose (low to moderate quality of evidence). Dietary interventions with low-carbohydrate diets had a similar effect to low-fat diets in terms of body mass index (BMI) reduction (moderate quality of evidence). Educational interventions reduced waist circumference, BMI, and diastolic blood pressure (low quality of evidence). Pharmacological interventions reduced BMI (metformin, sibutramine, orlistat) and waist circumference (sibutramine, orlistat) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sibutramine) but also raised systolic and diastolic blood pressure (sibutramine). Surgical interventions (laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) resulted in the largest BMI reduction (moderate quality of evidence). Combined interventions consisting of dietary modification, physical activity, behavioral therapy, and education significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and triglycerides. Combined parent–child interventions and parent-only interventions had similar effects on BMI (low quality of evidence). Conclusions: Several childhood obesity interventions are effective in improving metabolic and anthropometric measures. A comprehensive multicomponent intervention, however, appears to have the best overall outcomes.

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Physical Activity for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain in Elderly Patients: A Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9041023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 1023 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gianluca Vadalà ◽

Fabrizio Russo ◽

Sergio De Salvatore ◽

Gabriele Cortina ◽

Erika Albo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Low Back ◽

Quality Of Evidence ◽

Randomized Controlled

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects nearly 20–25% of the population older than 65 years, and it is currently the main cause of disability both in the developed and developing countries. It is crucial to reach an optimal management of this condition in older patients to improve their quality of life. This review evaluates the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) to improve disability and pain in older people with non-specific CLBP. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to improve the reporting of the review. Individual risk of bias of single studies was assessed using Rob 2 tool and ROBINS-I tool. The quality of evidence assessment was performed using GRADE analysis only in articles that presents full data. The articles were searched in different web portals (Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, and CENTRAL). All the articles reported respect the following inclusion criteria: patients > 65 years old who underwent physical activities for the treatment of CLBP. A total of 12 studies were included: 7 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 3 non-randomized controlled trials (NRCT), 1 pre and post intervention study (PPIS), and 1 case series (CS). The studies showed high heterogeneity in terms of study design, interventions, and outcome variables. In general, post-treatment data showed a trend in the improvement for disability and pain. However, considering the low quality of evidence of the studies, the high risk of bias, the languages limitations, the lack of significant results of some studies, and the lack of literature on this argument, further studies are necessary to improve the evidences on the topic.

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